Now that Snow Joe has introduced the new 24 inch 2-stage cordless snow blower it’s time to ask if a cordless electric snow blower is a better solution than a gas-powered 2-stage machine. So, I am going to go through a list of the features of this new lithium-ion cordless snow blower compared to its equivalent gas competitor. Then I will go through a quick energy cost comparison and to wrap up a bunch of pictures so you can compare the actual differences.

For this article I will use the Troy-Bilt 2410 as the gas equivalent. It’s a very good example of a typical, quality, inexpensive snow blower that you will find at the retailers today. It retails for $599, the same price as the Snow Joe without batteries.

With a gas-powered snow blower you buy your fuel as you need it. With the cordless electric snow blower you buy your “fuel” up front in the form of batteries.

In my reasoning the $200 in batteries is comparable to getting a store credit for $200 worth of fuel and a fuel can. Typically the current Lithium Ion batteries last for 500 charges and will run at 90% capacity in temperatures below freezing. So, when the seller advertises “40 minute run time” expect at least 35 minutes of normal use.

I’m comparing the run time and longevity to the batteries used in today’s drones. Drones use the same type of battery with the same safe guards and balancing chargers that these batteries use. Sno Joe has been around long enough that they use quality cells in their batteries.

If you screw up and leave the batteries on the charger for 6 months – it doesn’t hurt anything. The chargers are also designed not to explode, overcharge or short out a battery.

2500 watt motor with cogged belt drive. Belt won’t slip and burn out but you may break it if an obstruction gets into the impeller. Using Google this works out to about 4 HP but there are two motors in this snow blower. One for the snow and one for the drive. 4 HP should be plenty for this size of snow blower.

Good for the planet? According to the current science – YES!

Troy-Bilt 2410 2-stage gas snow blower – the Facts:

The Troy Bilt 2410 is an example of a good, basic 24 inch snow blower on the market today. It’s priced well, has plenty of power and very dependable. When sized properly to your driveway it will last years. It has the same features of the Snow Joe. Solid Axle, multiple speeds, same size tires and chute control.

Just the snow blower $599. Fuel can, fuel, oil and maintenance parts for gas engine are extra over the life of the snow blower.

If you screw up and leave untreated ethanol fuel in the snow blower – you may have to replace the carburetor. $80 if you do it yourself, $250 if you have it done.

208 cc engine with v-belt drive. Belt may slip and/or burn up if an obstruction gets into the impeller. Rough guess this is about 6 HP. This one engine drives both a larger impeller and the drive system. It is plenty for this size of snow blower.

Good for the planet? According to the current science – Not so much!

Cost of Fuel per year.

I’m going to go through a quick cost of fuel versus using batteries.

Battery Cost of Operation

80 volt 5AH batteries last 40 minutes blowing snow.

Okay, now to calculate the Kilowatt-hours (kWh) of your electric snow thrower, simply multiply those two numbers together and divide by 1000:

80 volts x 5 Amp-hours / 1000 = 0.4 kWh

This means that it takes about 0.4 kW to charge your batteries for one hour. In most cases, you will need to charge for about 4 hours, so let’s say the total consumption for a complete charge cycle is:

4 x 0.4 = 1.6 kWh

Cost to Charge your snow blower batteries: The cost per kWh varies on the provider, the user, and the time period in most parts of the country. A good, round number that is close to the average is $0.14 per kWh. Let’s get back to our calculator:

$0.14 x 1.6 kWh = $0.23

Cost of Batteries: $200 if you buy them with the snow blower. A good guess for the battery life is 500 cycles. So the replacement cost is about $.40 each time you use them.

Total Cost of batteries. So each time you use them for 40 minutes your total cost is $0.63.

Most people use their 24 inch snowblower 10-15 times a year. So the cost of the battery life and electricity is $6.30 to $9.45

Fuel Cost of Operation.

208 cc engine uses about 1/2 gallon of fuel in 40 minutes.

Typical fuel cost $3 per gallon = $1.50 per 40 minutes

In addition we need to add the cost of a storage can, Fuel stabilizer, going to get the fuel, oil changes and other gas engine related costs. A snow blower engine does not use an air cleaner.

Total cost for gas fueled engine. So each time you use it for 40 minutes your total cost is $2.32

Most people use their 24 inch snowblower 10-15 times a year so the cost of fuel per year is $23.32 to $34.80

Side by Side Comparison – In Pictures

I’m using a 2016 Troy-Bilt 2410 as the comparison snow blower for this article. This Troy-Bilt is similar to many of the other 24 inch snow blowers on the market so you can get a feel for how the Snow Joe compares to them. Other similar snow blowers are the Craftsman 88172, 88173, Cub Cadet 524, Husqvarna ST224, Ariens Compact 24, SnoTek, and Toro 724 Power Max. The Troy-Bilt is a better build than cheaper machines like the PowerSmart, Yard Max and DHT.

The 12 inch impeller, 208 cc machines will out-perform this snow blower but I have a feeling this Snow Joe will out perform the single speed 179cc, 22 inch machine many of you have sitting in the corner. This will be a great replacement for those of you who want a small 2-stage machine.

It actually compares to the older Noma/Simplicity built 24 snow blowers from the 80’s and 90’s. I wish I still had the Montgomery Wards I had a few year ago. It’s just about the same size and power.

Overall the Snow Joe is quite different from a gas-powered 2-stage snow blower. If you live in an area of the country that gets 20-30 inches of snow a year. If you live in town and don’t get deep drifts. If you have a single or two car driveway 30-50 feet long. If you don’t want to mess with gas – this can be a great snow blower for you.

By the way, if you already have other 40 volt Snow Joe / Sun Joe products those batteries will fit in this snow blower! For example, I also have two 4 AH batteries so I can get over an hour’s use before I have to recharge.

The Snow Joe’s intake is about 13 inches. This is about the same as most 24 inch snow blowers made before 2005. Many people who don’t get huge drifts like the lower intake. It has about the same length chute as the Troy-Bilt 2410 we will be comparing it too. By the way, the floor in my shed is not flat.

Aluminum Gear Box on the Snow Joe, Aluminum Gear Box with hardened gears on the Troy-Bilt

Aluminum Gear Box on the Snow Joe, Aluminum Gear Box with hardened gears on the Troy-Bilt

Poly chute the Snow Joe and poly chute on the Troy-Bilt are about the same height and size.

Heli-coil Gear on the Snow Joe Chute Control, proven wire gear on the Troy-Bilt. You may have to watch the Snow Joe gear so that it does not ice up.

Heli-coil Gear on the Snow Joe Chute Control, proven wire gear on the Troy-Bilt. You may have to watch the Snow Joe gear so that it does not ice up.

New location of engine controls on the Troy-bilt make it a lot easier to use than your old gas-powered snow blower.

Drop in the charged batteries and turn the key, the Snow Joe is ready to clear snow

The 2 Snow Joe 5 AH batteries on dual quick charger

We consider these tires “cheap” but for the Snow Joe I feel they are just right. Why? because the Snow Joe is a lot lighter than a gas-powered 2-stage snow blower so it will not need deep lugged tires. Both the Snow Joe and the Troy-bilt 2410 have a locked, solid axle so both wheels have traction all the time.

What are the windows for? Blue Glow Lights! of course!

The Troy-Bilt 2410 has great tires for the price of the snow blower. These have deep soft treads so you get the best traction for the size. Both the Snow Joe and the Troy-bilt 2410 have a locked, solid axle so both wheels have traction all the time.

Dash on the Snow Joe. Three speeds forward, one reverse. Safety, Panic Stop Button. Key safety switch. Light Switch. Wheel drive lever UNDER the left handle. Safety button and auger drive lever UNDER right handle. Note: this is different from the other snow blowers. If you have small hands you may have problems holding these levers with gloves on.

Closeup picture of the hand control on the Snow Joe. It’s different from what you are used to.

Troy-Bilt 2410. Interior of the Transmission. this is a “standard” friction disk transmission and the have an excellent reputation of lasting for years and years. Other than wiping a little oil on the lower hexagonal shaft every few years there is really nothing that ever needs to be done.

Interior of the Snow Joe Transmission Case. It looks more complicated but it’s really not. There is one brushless electric motor for the drive wheels and another larger motor for the impeller/auger. A few wires, connectors and a hermetically sealed motor controller. Like the Troy-Bilt it also uses a bronze reduction gear so there is no real need for lubrication for many years. This drive system uses two cogged belts that are available on the Snow Joe website.

Get more stuff like this

Subscribe to our mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox.

Related Articles

About The Author

About Paul Sikkema
Paul Sikkema has been writing about snow blowers, riding mowers and other lawn and garden equipment for over 10 years. Paul does most his writing out in his workshop where he feeds the wildlife and birds in the yard. His goal is to have a red squirrel eating out of his hand.
He spends as much time with his granddaughter as he can.